U.S. airlines canceled over 1,000 flights on Saturday. This was the second day of the Federal Aviation Administration’s mandate to reduce air traffic. The reduction was due to the government shutdown.
So far, the slowdown at many of the nation’s busiest airports hasn’t caused widespread disruptions. But it has deepened the impact felt by the nation’s longest federal shutdown.
“We all travel. We all have places to go,” said Emmy Holguin, 36. She was flying from Miami Saturday to see family in the Dominican Republic. “I’m hoping that the government can take care of this.”
Analysts warn that the upheaval will intensify. It will spread far beyond air travel. This will happen if cancellations keep growing and reach into Thanksgiving week.
Already there are concerns about the squeeze on tourism destinations and holiday shipping.
Here’s what to know about the flight reductions:
How many flights have been canceled?
Flight disruptions increased slightly on Saturday. This day is typically a slow travel day. Each of the first two days creeped above 1,000 cancellations. This information is according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flights.
The airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, saw 130 arriving and departing flights canceled by mid-afternoon Saturday.
Airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, and Newark, New Jersey, also saw many disruptions throughout the day. Staffing shortages in radar centers and control towers are ongoing. They added to the cancellations and delays on Saturday at several East Coast airports. This includes those around New York City.
Not all the cancellations were due to the FAA order. Those numbers represent just a small part of the overall flights nationwide. But they are certain to rise in the coming days if the slowdown continues.
The FAA said the reductions impacting all commercial airlines are starting at 4% of flights at 40 targeted airports. These reductions will be bumped up again on Tuesday. They will then hit 10% of flights on Friday.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned this week. Even more flight cuts might be needed if the government shutdown continues. More air traffic controllers are off the job.
Why are the flights being canceled?
Air traffic controllers have gone without paychecks for nearly a month as the shutdown continues. This situation is leading many to call in sick and adding to the already existing staffing shortages.
Most controllers are working mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay. Some are taking second jobs to pay their bills. This is according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
How are passengers being affected?
Most were relieved. They found that airlines largely stayed on schedule Friday. Those whose flights were called off were allowed to quickly rebook. So far, longer international flights haven’t been interrupted.
There is still a lot of uncertainty about what flights will be canceled next.
Not everyone can afford a hotel. It is difficult for some to deal with a last-minute disruption. Heather Xu, 46, mentioned this. She was in Miami on Saturday after a cruise and flying home to Puerto Rico.
“Travel is stressful enough. Then you put these disruptions in place and it really makes everything more challenging,” she said.
Rental car companies reported a sharp increase in one-way reservations Friday, and some people are simply canceling flights altogether.
Diana Alvear of Bridgewater, New Jersey, canceled her family’s trip next weekend to see her in-laws in California. She was concerned about flying because controllers are working long hours and are understaffed.
She also was nervous about being stranded — “a huge debacle” for work. United Airlines gave her credit for the airfare. Nonetheless, the family is still out nearly $700 for the deposit on an Airbnb.
“This has been costly to us, and it’s a huge disappointment for us and our family,” she said. “It’s really weighing on our hearts that we had to do this.”
What could be the impacts beyond air travel?
First, there’s the potential for higher prices in stores, as nearly half of all U.S. air freight is shipped in the bellies of passenger aircraft.
Major flight disruptions might lead to higher shipping costs. These increased costs could get passed on to consumers. This is according to Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University.
More losses will ripple through the economy if the slowdown continues. This will affect areas from tourism to manufacturing. Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group, said this.
“This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings. It will also affect tourists being able to travel,” he said. “It’s going to hit the hotel taxes and city taxes. There’s a cascading effect that results from this thing.’’
